DEADLY! Ten Killed, Several Injured After Taxi Rams Into Trailer On Busia Highway

By Our Reporter

At least ten people have been confirmed dead and three others injured following a devastating road crash early this morning along the Busia Highway in Busowa Town Council, Bugiri District.

The accident, which occurred at around 7:00 a.m., involved a Toyota Hiace (registration UBN 817H) travelling from Busia towards Iganga and a stationary trailer, registration UA 647BA/UA 430AA.

According to Traffic Police and Road Safety spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, preliminary findings indicate that the taxi driver attempted to overtake an unidentified vehicle when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction. In a bid to avoid a head-on collision, the driver swerved left, lost control, and crashed into the parked trailer.

“In an effort to avoid head-on collision, the driver swerved to the left, lost control and rammed into a stationary trailer,” SP Kananura said.

All ten victims, including the taxi driver, died on the spot. Three survivors were rushed to hospital by emergency responders, while the bodies of the deceased were conveyed to the mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification.

Police have since launched investigations into the crash.

SP Kananura condemned the unsafe driving manoeuvres that led to the tragedy, urging motorists to prioritise safety and adhere to traffic regulations.

“Drivers are cautioned to exercise maximum caution and prioritise safety at all times,” he warned, noting that overspeeding, reckless overtaking, and failure to maintain safe distances remain major contributors to road carnage.

Uganda continues to grapple with high rates of road accidents. The 2024 Annual Police Report recorded a 6.4% increase in road crashes, rising to 25,107 incidents and resulting in more than 25,000 casualties, underscoring the severity of the country’s road safety crisis.

Authorities continue to urge motorists to remain vigilant, respect speed limits, and avoid dangerous overtaking—behaviours that cost lives daily on Uganda’s highways.